3. That those who have obtained mercy have the strongest possible incentive to maintain good works —
' Zcch. iv. 7, 0. k Phil. i. (i.
[We have before stated, that Christ has done every thing that was necessary for man's salvation ; and that nothing re- mains for man to add to the finished work of Christ. But we also noticed, that, though man has nothing to do for the pur- pose of meriting salvation, or for laying a foundation of his acceptance with God, yet in other points of view he has abundant occasion to work ; yea, he is commanded to " work out his salvation with fear and trembling." We have no other way of proving the truth of our faith, or the sincerity of our love, than by bringing forth the fruits of righteousness. Shall this then be thought a wearisome task by any of us ? Shall we wish to intermit our labours, or to stop short of the highest attainments? Surely not: for if Christ finished the work assigned him, because of his love to us, we can do no less than persist in our work, whereby we are to evidence our love to him. Let us then " go on towards perfection :" let us " forget what is behind, and press forward towards that which is before :" let us " work while our day lasts ;" that in the evening of our life we may be able to say with Christ, " Father, I have glorified thee on earth, I have finished the work which thou hast given me to do." Then, while hypocrites and apos- tates shall take up this expression in reference to their hopes of salvation, and say, " My day of grace is finished, and all possibility of obtaining mercy is finished ;" we shall shout in heaven, "It is finished, it is finished!" "fears, temptations, conflicts, are all finished!" "I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith ;" and nothing now remains to me but an eternity of uninterrupted happiness and glory.]